Refrigerator-tank.



Patented Apr. 9, I90l.

J. HAMILTON.

-REFRIGERATDB TANK.

(Application led Oct. 1B, 1900 (No Model.)

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.tom 3 of the refrigerator at the rear.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES HAMILTON, OF NEVBURGI-I, NEW YORK.

REFRIGERATOR-TANK.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent No. 671,798, dated April 9, 1901.

Application filed October l2, 1900. Serial No. 32,861. (No model.)

To all whom it may con/cervi,.-V

Be it known that I, JAMES HAMILTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newburgh, in the county of Orange and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Refrigerator-Tank, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a drip-tank attachment for refrigerators; and the object of the same is to provide simple and effective means for containing the drip-water from a refrigerator and prevent the same from running over the surface ou which the latter rests, and thereby avoid unhealthy and unsanitary conditions, and also to provide means in connection with the tank for indicating the amount of water therein and for conveniently draining the same.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 isa perspective view of a refrigerator, showing the improved drip-tank applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of a portion of the refrigerator and of the tank. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the tank. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a gage attachment for the tank.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates a refrigerator of any preferred form of construction provided with the usual drip-pipe 2 from the ice-chamber, the said pipe extending through the bot- To the said bottom 3 the improved drip-tank 4 is secured and is closed on al1 sides of the same, and between the legs 5 covering-strips 6 are preferably secured at the sides and rear of the refrigerator to shield or protect the adjacent portions of the tank. The tank is constructed of suitable non-conducting light sheet metal, and the bottom 7 is inclined downwardly from the sides toward the center portion, and the latter is also gradually inclined downwardly from the rear toward the front, and to the greatest centrally-depressedportion at the front a drain-cock 8 is attached for completely relieving the tank of water, which enters the latter through a rear opening 9 from the drip-pipe 2. It is also proposed and intended toapply to the tank means for automatically operating a suitable signal, such as a bell, to thereby give notice to' a person or persons at a distance from the refrigerator that the tank has become filled with water in order that it may be relieved and prevent the water from backing up in the drip-pipe.

To one side of the center of the front of the tank a gage is applied, and comprises a gageglass 10, having a lower apertured contracted portion 11 to provide a seat for a spherical float l2, preferably formed of spun aluminium. This glass is tted in a vertical socket 13, having an opening 14 at the front and a lower elbow 15 attached to the tank and forming the means of communication between the said tank and the gage, and on the upper end of the glass and socket a cap 16 is removably fitted. In the operation of this gage it will be understood that the spherical float is elevated as the water rises in the tank and correspondingly in the glass, and by providing the lower reduced or contracted ioat-seat in the glass the float will always be in condition for operation and lodgnlent thereof in a resisting manner in the lower portion of the socket will be prevented, and thus an angular joint of the elbow with the socket proper can be employed.

At the front of the refrigerator, at-a suitable distance in advance of the front side of the tank, a movable ap 17 is located and hinged at its upper edge to the lower front portion of the refrigerator. This iiap can be raisedr and lowered at will, and at the center thereof, in front of the drain-cock S, an opening 18 is formed and normally closed by a hinged slide 419, and by this means the said drain-cock is rendered accessible without elevating the flap. The portion of the flap in front of the gage is also formed wit-h a vertical slot 20, having beveled walls 21 for eXteriorly exposing the gage.

The improved tank attachment with its particular construction 'and incidental complementary features will be found exceptionally useful and beneficial in promoting sani- IOO tary conditions in and around a refrigerator. The Cost of application is comparatively small, and though the preferred form has been shown it is obvious that detail changes may be made within the purview of the invention. i Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. The combination with a refrigerator, of a drip-water tank secured to the bottom thereof and having a central forwardly and downwardly inclined depending ridge, a front drain-cock at the lowest point of the ridge, and a water-gage at the front to one side of the center, covering-strips completely over the sides and rear portion of the tank between the legs of the refrigerator, and a front hinged aphavingan opening therein through which to reach the said oook and normally covered by a slide, and also provided with a slot with beveled walls to expose thegage.

2. A completely-closed drip-water tank for a refrigerator havinga gage at the front portion Comprising a vertical` glass with a lower -eontraoted apertured float-seat 11 above the 

